Scan barcode
yrlaevelyn's review against another edition
funny
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Medical trauma, Racial slurs, Death, Child abuse, Violence, and Grief
e_r_q's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
"Moths and all sorts of ugly creatures hover around a lighted candle. Can the candle help it?"
It is apparently only a myth that Charles Dickens was paid by the word to write his novels. But after reading Great Expectations, I wouldn't be surprised if that myth were actually the truth.
Although Dickens' witty writing initially engaged and entertained me for the first third of the novel, the rest of the book is written so superfluously, meaning it is extremely difficult to engage with the narrative. Worse still, the narrative itself is excessively drawn out, with some lifeless characters (who feel for the most part like plot devices), obvious themes and seemingly very little to say overall. There are also some plot beats that feel frustratingly convoluted, and overly-rely on coincidences and conveniences.
There are the foundations of some good stuff here, but everything is so under-explored whilst simultaneously being unnecessarily long. In short, it is a chore to get through.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Death and Death of parent
soupsswagreads's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Good plot, slow, challenging language
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Fire/Fire injury
lazycycle's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Classism, Death, Mental illness, Stalking, Grief, and Physical abuse
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Bullying
miagw962's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts.
I loved A Christmas Carol when I read it so I was excited to get to Charles Dickens' arguably most famous work, Great Expectations. This was phenomenal as expected. Such a whirlwind of emotions covering so many bases - poverty, classism, luck, love and its many different forms, jealousy, relationships and power dynamics, and so much more. I can't properly express the things I felt reading it. So many moments that just killed me. No wonder this has stood the test of time. Just gorgeous. Wish I could say more but because of how densely packed it is, I'm not sure I can. I just loved it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Death of parent
benblackwell's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Colonisation, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Child abuse
sofipitch's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I liked the first third of the book with Pip as a kid, the child logic of the narration was really entertaining. It's once Pip became an adult the story fell a little flat, it would be painfully long at times, with lots of different characters and plot points going this way and that. The way some things would get resolved too would be boring, two or three times Pip was in a really bad place and then is just magically saved by his friends. Also adult Pip is such a piece of work it really makes you wonder why these people are so kindly devoted to him. The gothic ambiance was really nice in this, I think gothic shit had been out of style in Dickens's time, but I'm glad he chose it for his stories.
I had to read this in 9th grade and I hated it, but then in 10th grade I read Tale of Two Cities and loved it, so I wondered if maybe I would like this book better once I was older. And while I don't hate it, I still don't get why this is one of Dickens' most famous tales, Tale of Two Cities IS much better.
I had to read this in 9th grade and I hated it, but then in 10th grade I read Tale of Two Cities and loved it, so I wondered if maybe I would like this book better once I was older. And while I don't hate it, I still don't get why this is one of Dickens' most famous tales, Tale of Two Cities IS much better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Physical abuse, and Death
Minor: Racial slurs
gm_vak's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Emotional abuse
waytoomanybooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When I decided to read this, I was skeptical. It's a little intimidating to pick up a 575 page whopper, especially a classic, because I was expecting purple prose and a tedious plot. But those judgements were completely wrong! I loved this book so much!
Every character that is introduced is, in some form or fashion, integral to the plot. Even the ones that aren't named (such as Trabb's boy and Aged Parent). All of the characters have flaws and virtues, and there is great contrast between the characters who embrace change and those who resist it. I also liked that every character's arc was tied up by the end of the novel.
I was also surprised to see that Dickens was class conscious and interested in social justice reform! I, again, expected that a nearly 200 year old book would be so sympathetic to less fortunate memeber of society. In addition, I appreciated that there was a conversation about how education, elocution, and fashion all play a role in society's treatment and expectations of a person. It was a pleasant surprise to connect so much with Dickens' social/political views!
In addition to these comparisons of characters individually, it was enjoyable to see how these differences play out when characters are in the same scene together, as well as how each setting affected the way a character felt and acted.
My other favorite aspect was that the main male characters were portrayed as being both emotionally vulnerable and incredibly loving of their friends and family. Male characters having close friendships, male characters being allowed to cry, male characters being allowed to nurse a friend back to health, and male characters being allowed to show love and affection was so refreshing! I can't think of a single contemporary book, show, or movie I've seen recently that portrays that.
Every character that is introduced is, in some form or fashion, integral to the plot. Even the ones that aren't named (such as Trabb's boy and Aged Parent). All of the characters have flaws and virtues, and there is great contrast between the characters who embrace change and those who resist it. I also liked that every character's arc was tied up by the end of the novel.
I was also surprised to see that Dickens was class conscious and interested in social justice reform! I, again, expected that a nearly 200 year old book would be so sympathetic to less fortunate memeber of society. In addition, I appreciated that there was a conversation about how education, elocution, and fashion all play a role in society's treatment and expectations of a person. It was a pleasant surprise to connect so much with Dickens' social/political views!
In addition to these comparisons of characters individually, it was enjoyable to see how these differences play out when characters are in the same scene together, as well as how each setting affected the way a character felt and acted.
My other favorite aspect was that the main male characters were portrayed as being both emotionally vulnerable and incredibly loving of their friends and family. Male characters having close friendships, male characters being allowed to cry, male characters being allowed to nurse a friend back to health, and male characters being allowed to show love and affection was so refreshing! I can't think of a single contemporary book, show, or movie I've seen recently that portrays that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Toxic relationship, and Violence
ruthbeadle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I actually really enjoyed reading this! It is my first Dickens novel, and I adored the storytelling and Pip's narration throughout. These novels that are almost slice of life, but obviously have bigger themes and topics to tackle are some of my favorites. I thought that this was easy to get into if you haven't read any of Dickens' other stuff. I think the only thing holding me back is that the last chapter was definitely not my favorite. Everything else is great though, so I highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, and Death of parent
More...